Don Bernardino Jalandoni Museum

Known by many locals as the “Pink House”, the Don Bernardino Jalandoni Museum in Silay City, Negros Occidental is one of the many National Historical Landmarks in the region. Declared by the National Historical Institute as a historical site in November 6, 1993, the Bernardino Jalandoni Museum is one of the main tourist attractions in the city. It certainly gives you a glimpse of the past.

Don Bernardino Jalandoni's Favorite Area

Don Bernardino Jalandoni’s Favorite Area

Built by Don Bernardino Jalandoni and DoƱa Ysabel Lopez Ledesma, who were formerly from Jaro, Iloilo City, in 1908, the Bernardino Jalandoni Museum along Rizal Street depicts the typical opulent houses during the early 20th century. It is a two-storey house, surrounded by other heritage houses in the area. The portion of the street in front of the pink house is narrower than the rest of the National Highway because a Silaynon group fought for the preservation of the legacy houses when a road development project endangered to destroy these old structures.

The care and maintenance of the Bernardino Jalandoni Museum is under the Silay Heritage Foundation, Inc. It is frequently used as a place for artistic, cultural and education proceedings.

The design of the Jalandoni House is based from the structure of a typical nipa hut in the Philippines although it is larger in scale. The house is made of balayong, a hardwood that had to be shipped by the Jalandonis from Mindoro. In its interiors, the ceiling is made of embossed steel trays that were brought from Hamburg, Germany. The wooden transoms are cut out style or callado that infuses complicated French design. Capiz shells are used in the large window panels for better lighting, ventilation and security.

Old Steinway Piano

Old Steinway Piano

Because the ground floor served as a garage, an old carriage used by the family is on display. Photos of Silay City in the 1900s can be found in the area as well. Amazingly, there are quite a good number of Barbies and Kens used as miniature models of known personalities including Presidents of the Philippines. Some impressive artworks and old items can also be found in the bottom floor. At the second floor, a more remarkable and historical view awaits the visitor. You will instantly travel back to the past upon seeing the memorabilia left by the family. The old piano, analog phone, grandfather’s clock, intricate bed, sewing machine and chairs made of hardwood are the notable things found inside the family’s living room and bedroom.

For those who want a guided tour inside the Bernardino Jalandoni Museum, Jorge R. Po is a good person to approach. He is a curator and tour guide, who works for the Silay Heritage Foundation. Most of the time he stays at the ground floor of the house, waiting for guests to visit the place.

How to get there

Considered as a well-known landmark, the Bernardino Jalandoni Museum is located along the main highway of Silay City, just a few meters from the impressive San Diego de Alcala Pro-Cathedral Church. From the Bacolod-Silay Airport, take the only road that leads to the National Highway by Taxi or by Tricycle and tell the driver not to take any turns and drop you at Lacson Ancestral House, another historical house in Silay. Walk about 300-meters going north to reach the Jalandoni Museum. You can walk around the city, especially along the main road, as there are plenty of historical houses in the area. You will surely appreciate the beauty of Silay and have a glimpse of what it is like to live in the past.

Address: Brgy. II, Rizal St, Silay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines
Contact Number: +63 34 495 5093

Area for drinking

Area for drinking

Artworks and photos of Personalities

Artworks and photos of Personalities

Barbies and Kens as Miniatures

Barbies and Kens as Miniatures

Bedroom at Bernardino Jalandoni Museum

Bedroom at Bernardino Jalandoni Museum

Bedroom of the daughter

Bedroom of the daughter

Benigno Aquino and Corazon Aquino

Benigno Aquino and Corazon Aquino

Big table surrounded with dolls

Big table surrounded with dolls

Birthing Chair

Birthing Chair

Chandelier and Ceiling

Chandelier and Ceiling

Coffee Beans

Coffee Beans

Different Filipino Costumes using dolls

Different Filipino Costumes using dolls

Dining Table at Don Bernardino Jalandoni Museum

Dining Table at Don Bernardino Jalandoni Museum

Don Mark

Don Mark

Family Portrait

Family Portrait

Favorite items of Don Jalandoni

Favorite items of Don Jalandoni

Ferdinand Marcos and Imelda Romualdez

Ferdinand Marcos and Imelda Romualdez

Floor Mat

Floor Mat

Gallinera - Two Seater from the 1900

Gallinera – Two Seater from the 1900

Grandfather's Clock

Grandfather’s Clock

Holifena Ancestral House

Holifena Ancestral House

Imelda Marcos Dolls

Imelda Marcos Dolls

Jesus Christ Sculpture

Jesus Christ Sculpture

Mother Mary

Mother Mary

Muller Maclean & Co Metal Logo

Muller Maclean & Co Metal Logo

Museum Shop

Museum Shop

Old Analog Phone

Old Analog Phone

Old books for reference

Old books for reference

Old Carriage

Old Carriage

Old Chinise Porcelains in a CabineOld Chinise Porcelains in a Cabinett

Old Chinise Porcelains in a CabineOld Chinise Porcelains in a Cabinett

Old Filtered Container from Germany

Old Filtered Container from Germany

Old Glasses and Teapots

Old Glasses and Teapots

Old miniature carraige and old books

Old miniature carraige and old books

Old photos

Old photos

Old Safes

Old Safes

Old Sewing Machine

Old Sewing Machine

Personal Storage and Study Area

Personal Storage and Study Area

Personalities during the Cory Presidency

Personalities during the Cory Presidency

Photo of the Cathedral before renovation

Photo of the Cathedral before renovation

Photos of old houses in Silay

Photos of old houses in Silay

Photos of the Don and DoƱa

Photos of the Don and DoƱa

Plant outside the house

Plant outside the house

Prayer Area

Prayer Area

Radio and Encyclopedias of the Jalandoni Family

Radio and Encyclopedias of the Jalandoni Family

Silay Personalities

Silay Personalities

Statue of Mary on a Carriage

Statue of Mary on a Carriage

Table with gas lamps

Table with gas lamps

The Coffee and Tea Table

The Coffee and Tea Table

The Dining Room of the Jalandonis

The Dining Room of the Jalandonis

The Harp

The Harp

The living room for family gathering

The living room for family gathering

The Pottery

The Pottery

The Work Area

The Work Area

Tour Guide Jorge Po explaning the photos

Tour Guide Jorge Po explaning the photos

Violin and Music Player

Violin and Music Player

Wooden Art

Wooden Art

Bedroom at Bernardino Jalandoni Museum

Bedroom at Bernardino Jalandoni Museum


This page is last updated on May 11, 2016 @ 1:45 pm
About the author
Mark Anthony Maranga Mark Anthony Maranga is an Educator-Parent to his 3 Homeschooling Kids. He sells Ice Cream and Balloons in Mandaue City, Cebu. Exploring the Philippines tourist attractions together with his family is his passion; they are learning without borders.


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